Sprayer



J. C. BACH SPRAYER Sept. 26, 1967 Filed June 14, 1965 United States Patent O 3,343,797 SPRAYER `l'ose Cervell Bach, Barcelona, Spain, assigner to Industrias Cervello, SA., Barcelona, Spain, a Spanish Anonyme Society Iii-lied .lune 14, 1965, Ser. No. 463,622 15 Claims. (Cl. 239-355) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure relates to pumping devices for supplying air and liquid to a mixing chamber of a manual sprayer and of the type for dispensing liquid substances.

mamma- This invention is an improvement in pumping devices for supplying air and liquid to a mixing chamber of a manual sprayer from which the admixed air and liquid are dispensed or sprayed under optimum conditions.

Various types of conventional sprayers are known which generally include a pump body carried by an up; per end of a container. An air compressing piston slides in the pump body and passes through an intermediate chamber where an absorbent element impregnated with the liquid to be dispensed is located. This produces the air-liquid admixture when a valve carried by the aircompressing or air-impulsing piston is opened. When the piston is stationary the valve closes the communication between a chamber containing the liquid to be sprayed and the intermediate chamber where the impregnation of the absorbent element or body takes place. The mixture of air and liquid is produced internally of the absorbent body and is expelled toward and through a spray.

In manual sprayers of this type, two major disadvantages are apparent. First of these is the necessity of operating such sprays in an inverted position in order that the liquid impregnates the absorbent body occupying the mixture chamber under the influence of gravity. The second disadvantage of each sprayer is the excessive impregnation of the absorbent body which can only be avoided by providing some means for limiting or regulating this impregnation, something which rarely can be achieved because the volume of liquid progressively diminishes and the action of gravity therefore is not consistently the same. This causes irregularities in the impregnation of the absorbent body which correspondingly causes irregularities in the amount and relative proportions of the air-liquid sprayed during successive spraying operations. In addition to the above disadvantages are the demands for accurate adjustments and the automated manufacture and assembly of the valve which is diicult, if not impossible, to achieve because the valve forms the piston head of the above-mentioned piston and cannot be readily or accurately tested to determine its correct operation without hampering the automatic process of assemblying the sprayers.

The present invention provides a concrete and satisfactory solution of the above-mentioned disadvantages by achieving a controlled impregnation of the absorbent body by the liquid to be sprayed, and avoiding excessive impregnation and possible leakages when the valve is in a closed position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sprayer comprising a dual pump which is simultaneously but differentially actuated. Both pumps are axially aligned and separated by an impregnation and a mixture charnber. An upper pump produces the compression of the air sufficiently to insure, on the one hand, an adequate mixture of air and liquid, and on the other hand, to bring about a supply of compressed air to the interior of a body of the lower pump to eect an elevation and feed- 3,343,797 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 ice ing of the liquid for impregnating the absorbent body in a normal position, i.e., not in an inverted position of the sprayer.

A major object of the invention is the construction and location of the noted second pump which provides for the regular feeding of the absorbent body, as well as utilizing the piston of the second pump as a valve for closing and opening a communication channel between the chamber which holds the liquid and the chamber wherein the impregnation of the absorbent body takes place. The closing action of this valve is independent of the piston of the upper pump, thus producing a more efficient closure of the valve and a simpler assembly of the sprayer. According to the invention, an integral shaft of the piston of the upper pump actuates the independent valve of the lower piston which at the same time functions as the piston of the lower pump.

Another important characteristic of the invention is the structure which causes the impregnation of the absorbent body by means of a capillary conduit axially bored in the integral shaft of the upper pump piston which slides smoothly through a cap retaining the absorbent body in position. The axial capillary conduit leads laterally outwardly at a point of the impulse shaft of the independent valve in such a way that the position of the conduit during the ascending and descending strokes of the shaft establishes regular and alternative communication with the absorbent body during which the liquid that flows through the conduit is absorbed. In this way the impregnation of the absorbent body is regulated and limited, and this permits a reduction of its size as well as that of the chamber wherein the same is confined. The liquid flows only when it passes through the absorbent body because at different positions the liquid cannot ow because of the closed position of the valve.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fro-m a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. l is a vertical sectional View of the sprayer of this invention, and illustrates the same in a non-dispensing position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the sprayer shown in FIG. l, and illustrates a piston-valve and shaft of a piston in a position at which a lateral portion of an axial conduit is located below an absorbent body and obstructed by a lateral wall of a guide cap secured to a container;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the sprayer illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 with the piston-valve at the end of its downward stroke, and illustrates the lateral portion of the axial conduit in fluid communication with the body of the pump into which the liquid is directed during one portion of the spraying cycle; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a sprayer similar to that shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3 and illustrates a variation in the construction of the valve.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing in particular, a sprayer comprises a pump body 1 forming a portion 0f a cap 2 threaded upon an exterior threaded neck of the container 14. The cap 2 forms a stopper which contains the majority of the elements forming the pumping devices of the sprayer.

An upper base of the cap 2 forms a cavity or chamber in which an absorbent body 3 is housed. The body 3 iS composed of felt or similar porous material and is retained in its chamber by means of a disc 4 constantly biased against an upper face of the cap 2 by a helical spring 5 positioned between the disc 4 and an annular gasket 7.

The disc 4 is segmented in such a way that it permits a projecting tongue portion 3a of the absorbent body 3 to project toward a chamber 6. The projecting tongue portion 3a is in radial alignment with a dispensing or spray nozzle 19 fixed in the wall of the pump body 1. An orice 19a of the nozzle 19 is positioned medially of the absorbent body 3 and is in direct communication with the chamber housing the body 3.

The annular gasket 7 inside the pump body 1 is xed to an upper reciprocal piston S which comprises the air compression piston of the sprayer. The piston 8 reciprocates relative to the chamber 6 which is at maximum volume when the helical spring is fully distended as shown in FIG. 1. A shaft 9 is secured at its upper end by means of a nut 11 to the piston 8 and the gasket 7. The other end of said shaft 9 terminates in a piston head 23 which performs the function of reciprocating a valve 13 to open and close the same. The valve 13 is at the same time a piston which moves in the interior of a lower pump body or chamber 15 of a lesser volume than that of the upper air chamber 6. The chambers 6, 15 supply air and liquid respectively to the intermediate chamber housing the absorbent body 3. The latter chamber housing the absorbent body 3 is preferably porvided with a radial channel adjacent the nozzle 19.

The piston head 23 is guided in an extension 22a of the cap 2. The extension 22a terminates in a cylindrical seat 22 against which the valve 13 normally rests. The movement of the piston head 23 in an upward direction under the influence of the spring 5 is retarded by a conical surface or shoulder 23 against which the piston 23 abuts.

The body 15 of the lower pump, which is at the same time the guiding means for the piston-valve 13 has a cylindrical end portion 16 received in a coinciding circular channel 16a of the cap 2. A radial flange 16b of the body 15 is clamped between the container 14 and the cap 2. The body 15 is thus concentrically housed and suspended between the container 14 and the cap 2 and when the latter is removed all the COmponents of the lower body or pump 15 and a feed tube 18 can be readily exrtacted from the interior of the container 14.

A lower tubular portion 17 of the body 15 is directed back towards the interior of the body 15. The feed tube 18 is adjustably secured to the portion 17 as, for example, by screw threads. The body 15 and the tubular portion 17 define an annular chamber housing a helical compression spring which biasingly maintains the valve 13 seated on its seat 22.

The interior wall of the cylindrical body that draws the liquid through the feed tube 18 up to the air-liquid mixing chamber housing the absorbent body 3, is provided with a series of vertical channels 20, 20 of a height that during a certain distance traveled by the piston valve 13 free tiuid paths become established between the piston 13 and the pump body 15 through which the liquid passes towards the upper part of said piston-valve 13 by suction.

When pressure is applied to the head of the piston 8 the annular gasket 7 acts against and overcomes the resistance of the spring 5 causing the air inside the chamber 6 to be compressed. This forces the compressed air to pass through the absorbent body 3, mix with liquid previously absorbed by the body 3, and then spray outwardly through the orice 19a ofthe nozzle 19.

Not all of the compressed air coming from the chamber 6 escapes through the nozzle 19, and part of this air passes through an axial capillary conduit 12 of the shaft 9. This portion of the air enters the conduit 12 through a lateral conduit portion 21, and is ejected towards the interior of the lower pump body 15.

Due to the fact that the shaft 9 moves with the piston 8, the head 23 descends and pushes the piston-valve 13 which moves away from the cylindrical seat 22 of the extension 22a. The compressed air coming from the axial conduit 12 passes through the existing space between the wall of the chamber 15 and the piston 13 and is forced by the descending stroke of the latter piston through the feed tube 13 into the interior of the container 14. By successive strokes -of the pistons 7 and 13 imparted thereto by the reciprocation of the piston 8, a pressure is established in the container 14 which aids in elevating the liquid through the feed tube 18; when both pistons recede a suction is produced which also contributes to elevation of the liquid.

When the piston-valve 13 descends the liquid elevated up to the body 15 by the combined action of the existing over-pressure in the interior of the container 14 suction overflows upon the piston-valve 13 by passing through the space between the body 15 and the valve 13 and through the paths or channels 20, 20. In its ascending stroke the piston 13 acts as an impelling pump for this liquid, thus augmenting the elevating effect. The suction effect is caused by air being drawn through the axial conduit 12 of the shaft 9 by the action of the piston 7 which draws in air from the exterior of the container 14 through the nozzle 19, again filling the chamber 7 in order to repeat the cycle.

From the piston head 23 of the shaft 9 the axial capillary conduit 12 leads out to the lateral conduit portion 21, which, when the valve 13 is closed, becomes located above the absorbent body 3 (FIG` 1). However, when the piston head 23 of the shaft 9 descends and pushes the valve 13, the lateral conduit portion 21 passes through the absorbent body 3 and the latter becomes impregnated with liquid flowing from the lateral conduit portion 21 until such time as the lateral conduit portion 21 of the conduit 12 is positioned beneath the absorbent body (FIG. 2).

Continuing the descending stroke of the shaft 9 (FIG. 3), the liquid in the lateral conduit 21 reverts back to the lower pump body 15. Upon the next 11p-stroke the absorbent body 3 is once more impregnated with liquid from the lateral conduit portion 21 until the valve 13 iS closed and the conduits 12, 21 are no longer fed by the pump.

In the successive alternative ascending and descending movements of the piston 8 of the upper pump 7 the conduit portion 21 supplies the absorbent body 3 with a sufficient and controlled volume of liquid for the air compressed by the upper piston 7 to become .ad-mixed therewith and :finally be expelled in a tine spray through the nozzle 19.

Before the lateral conduit portion 21 passes below the absorbent body 3 an injection of air through the conduit 12 is produced towards the lower body to create an internal overpressure which cooperates to aid in the elevation of the liquid.

In the modified sprayer shown in FIG. 4, only the shape of the valve has been modified, which in this case comprises a disc or small plate 25 coupled to the impulse spring 10.

The lower part (unnumbered) of the valve proper obstructs the upper end -of the leading tube 18 in this way acting as a limiting valve for the liquid coming from the container 14 towards the interior of the body 15 of the elevating pump for regularly and alternatively feeding the absorbent body 3, just as in the case of the sprayer of FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing.

In addition, the sprayer of FIG. 4 includes a gasket or adjusting ring 26 which ensures free sliding action between the axial shaft 9 and an axial bore (unnumbered) of the cap 2. In the sprayer of FIG. 4 the absorbent body 3 does not have a tongue portion corresponding to the tongue 3a adjacent the nozzle 19 and the retention disc 4 is imperforate but shifted to only partially overlie the absorbent body 3 to permit the passage of compressed air from the upper piston 7 to the nozzle 19. The air must then pass diametrically through the entire absorbent body 3 and a better mixture of air and liquid is thereby achieved.

What is claimed is:

1. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber, said conduit means opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, an absorbent elem-ent in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, second conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof.

2. The sprayer as defined in claim 1 including a retaining disc maintaining said absorbent body in saidsecond chamber, and aperture means in said disc placing said first and second chambers in fluid communication.

3. The sprayer as defined in claim 1 including a retaining disc maintaining said absorbent body in said second chamber, and aperture means diametrically opposite to said spray nozzle placing said first and second chambers in fluid communication.

4. The sprayer as defined in claim 1 including a retaining disc maintaining said absorbent body in said second chamber, aperture means in said disc adjacent said nozzle placing said first and second chambers in fluid communication, and a portion of said absorbent body overlying an orifice of said nozzle and closing said aperture means to direct communication between said orifice and said first chamber.

5. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, secondV and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber, said conduit means opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, means normally biasing said shaft toward said first position, an absorbent element in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber, in a second position of said shaft, second conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fiuid communication between said sec ond and fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof.

6. A sprayer comprising successive rst, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber, means normally biasing said valve toward said shaft, said conduit means opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, an absorbent element in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, Vsecond conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof.

7. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber means normally biasing said valve toward said shaft, said conduit means opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, means normally biasing said shaft toward said first position, an absorbent element in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, second conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid 'communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is inthe second position thereof.

8. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber, said conduit means opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, an absorbent element in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, second conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second an-d fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof, and said shaft being movable to a third position in which said conduit means opens only into said third chamber.

9. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, conduit -means in said shaft, a valve in said third chamber, said conduit means opening into said first -chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, an absorbent element in said second chamber, a spray nozzle in fluid communication with said second chamber, said conduit means opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, second conduit means placing said third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said second conduit means, said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second an-d fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof, said third chamber being defined by a cylindrical body, and a plurality of axial groove defining fluid passage being formed in a surface of said cylindrical body.

10. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said first chamber carried by said shaft, a passage in said shaft, said passage having a lateral portion normally opening into said first chamber and an axial portion opening toward said third chamber,

a valve in said third chamber dually functioning as an impulse piston, said passage opening into said first chamber and above said valve in a iirst position of said shaft, an absorbent element in said second chamber surrounding said shaft, a spray nozzle in fiuid communication with said second chamber, said lateral passage portion opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, a conduit placing the third and fourth chambers in fluid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said conduit, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a first position closing fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers to a second position opening fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof.

11. T-he sprayer as defined in claim 10 wherein said third chamber includes a body defining first and second valve seats, said valve being seated against said first valve seat in the iirst position thereof and against the second valve seat in a second position when said shaft is in said second position.

12. The sprayer as defined in claim 1t) wherein said sprayer comprises two major interengageable elements, a downwardly opening annular groove being formed in an upper one of said elements, a body being substantially housed in a lower one of said elements, said body being cylindrical and defining said third chamber, said body having a radial iiange retained between opposed surfaces of said elements and an upwardly projecting cylindrical extension received in and located by said groove.

13. The sprayer as defined in claim 10 wherein sai-d absorbent body is retained in said second chamber by an annular disc freely surrounding said shaft, and aperture means in said disc for at all times exposing an absorbent body to said iirst chamber.

14. A sprayer comprising successive first, second, third and fourth chambers, a shaft partially housed by and reciprocally mounted relative to said first, second and third chambers, a first piston in said irst chamber carried by said shaft, a passage in said shaft, said passage having a lateral portion normally opening into said'i'rst 'chamber and an axial portion opening toward said third chamber, a valve in said third chamber dually functioning as an impulse piston, said passage opening into said lirst chamber and above said valve in a first position of said shaft, spring means in said first chamber for normally biasing said shaft to said tirst position, said spring means being confined in said first chamber, an absorbent element in said second chamber surrounding said shaft, a spray nozzle in tiuid communication with said second chamber, said lateral passage portion opening into said second chamber in a second position of said shaft, a conduit placing the third and fourth chambers in -tiuid communication, said valve being in axially opposed relationship to said shaft and said conduit, spring lmeans in said third chamber for normally biasing said valve toward said shaft, and said valve being movable by said shaft between a iirst position closing fluid communication between said second and fourth chambers to a second position opening uid communication between said second an-d four chambers when said shaft is in the second position thereof.

15. The sprayer as detined in claim 14 wherein said shaft terminates in an enlarged head in said third chamber, and said third chamber includes abutment means for contacting said head to prevent the withdrawal of said shaft from said third chamber under the influence of the spring means in said first chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,162,372 12/'1964 Viard 239-361 3,226,035 12/ 1965 Boris 239-3 6l 3,239,151 3/1966 Boris 239-333 3,265,312 8/1966 Curti 239-355 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,296,172 5/1962 France.

1,364,163 5/ 1964 France.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPRAYER COMPRISING SUCCESSIVE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH CHAMBERS, A SHAFT PARTIALLY HOUSED BY AND RECIPROCALLY MOUNTED RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD CHAMBERS, A FIRST PISTON IN SAID FIRST CHAMBER CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT, CONDUIT MEANS IN SAID SHAFT, A VALVE IN SAID THIRD CHAMBER, SAID CONDUIT MEANS OPENING INTO SAID FIRST CHAMBER AND ABOVE SAID VALVE IN A FIRST POSITION OF SAID SHAFT, AN ABSORBENT ELEMENT IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER, A SPRAY NOZZLE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SECOND CHAMBER, SAID CONDUIT MEANS OPENING INTO SAID SECOND CHAMBER IN A SECOND POSITION OF SAID SHAFT, SECOND CONDUIT MEANS PLACING SAID THIRD AND FOURTH CHAMBER IN FLUID CONNUNICATION, SAID VALVE BEING IN AXIALLY OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID SHAFT AND SAID SECOND CONDUIT MEANS, 